For the past 33 years, hot air balloon pilots and spectatorshave been visiting the Teton Valley every summer for their annual hot airballoon rally. The management of the rally has changed hands a few times andthe current managers could use your support.

Anheuser Busch started the rally in 1981, they handed it offto the Teton Valley Chamber of Commerce and in 2012 “The Hot Crew” took overmanagement.

“Margaret, Candy and I are all volunteers and we are allsmall business owners,” said Event Director Virginia Powell Symons. “And we arerunning our own businesses while we are running this event.”

The three women came together because of their love for thisevent.

“What an incredible marriage of art and science this is,”continued Symons. “There’s nothing quite as stunning as standing with 20 hotair balloons going up around you, watching the Teton Valley sunrise.”

But without the deep pockets of Budweiser or even thechamber, it’s always a struggle to keep the event afloat.

“We are so grateful for the sponsors that we do get and wewould appreciate more,” said Controller Candy Davis. “We need more.”

While a few more corporate sponsors would certainly help paythe bills, the Hot Crew says there is always a need for volunteers. The issueisn’t getting balloon pilots to come. It’s all the other activities that havehelped build this multiday event into what it is today.

“This is the most stunning place to fly,” said Balloon PilotMargaret Rose Breffeilh. “This is why we have balloon pilots that have beencoming here for 33 years, year after year, to come fly in this valley becauseit’s one of the most beautiful places to fly. It’s one of the safest places tofly and it’s one of the friendliest places to fly.”

The Hot Crew says safety is always a priority and that theTeton Valley is one of the safest places to fly a hot air balloon because therearen’t too many overhead power lines and the winds are usually favorable duringthat time of year.